Material applicator for planographic printing machines



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. E. CURTIS Filed Nov. 15, 1937 INVENT OR.

Byqy ww f is ATTQRNEYS.

July 11, 1939.

July 11, 1939. F. E. CURTIS 2,165,234

MATERIAL APPLICATOR FOR PLANOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 13, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY-5 July 11, 1939. F. E. CURTIS 2,165,234

MATERIAL APPLICATOR FOR PLANOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES I Filed Nov. 13, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY):

Patented July 11, 1939 PATENT orr ce MATERIAL ArrmcA'ron. For. 'rLANo- I ammo rnrn'rme MACHINE I v E. Curtis, Willoughby, Ohio, mime: to Addressograph-Mnltigraph' Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware.

' Application November 1:, 1m, set-mm. 114,396

1': Claims. (01. 101-141;

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application for Letters Patent. Serial No. 147,507,- flled June 10, 1937. The present invention is especially concerned in and to improvements in printing or duplicating may chines, of the planographic type, and more particularly to an improved material applicator system for a planographic printing machine. The present invention includes both an improved ink applicator and an improved repellant applicator. These, therefore, are the general objects of the present invention.

An object of this invention is the provision of an improved compact, planographic duplicating 5 machine, especially adaptable forgeneral ofllce work, which is simple in operation and will require but a minimumamount of attention by the operator, to the end that comparatively unskilled operators may successfully operate the ma- 20 chine over continuous periods of time;

A more specific object of the present invention is the provision'of a material applicator system, including an ink' applicator and a repellent applicator, which applicators willbe simple in 25 operation and'so arranged that they will require a comparatively minor adjustment, to the end that they may be controlled in a simple manner to facilitate use of the machine by comparatively unskilled operators.

30 Another object is to provide an improved ductor roll mounting and driving'mechanisin for a.ma-

terial applicator, which will enable an exceedingly even a riplication of fluid material to the printing plate while maintainingthe number -'of material 35 transfer elements, such as rollers. to a minimum.

Other objects of the'present invention will lie-- come more apparent from the following'description, reference being had 'to the accompanying drawings, inwhich there is illustrated a preferred 4o embodiment of the invention. The essential features of the invention will be summarized in claims.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a substantially centrally located longitudinally extending section 45 through a printing machine embodying. my improved material applicator system; is a planv view of the machine,- partially broken away,

to more clearly illustrate the internal construction of the mechanisms; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side a; elevation of the machine, lookingin thesame direction as inFig. 1, with the side cover plate removed and certainv other parts broken away to more clearly illustrate the operating and control mechanism for the material -.appllcator system;

55 .Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectiopal viewtaken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and illustrates an improved form of mounting for certain of the rollers of the material applicator system; and Fig. 5-is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 ofFlg. 1. 5

Inithe drawings I have illustrated my improved material applicator system in a planographic printing machine of the type shown and described in my copending application heretofore referred to. In the present application this printing mal0 chine has been simplified in many details for ease of illustration. However, reference may be had to the copending application, referred to, for a more complete disclosure of such machine. In the drawings of the present application there is shown a frame, comprising a pair of slide plates II and i2, tied together by suitable cross menibers, some of which are generally indicated at III. 'Rotatably journalled in this frame are" a pair 'of horizontally extending shafts l5 and I6, the former supporting a transfer roll l8, and the latter a pattern roll i9, which carries a printing member .B. The shafts i5 and I G-are preferably mounted in eccentric bushings, Na in the well known manner, to permit them to be adjusted and aligned, one with the other. Rotatably journalled ona shaft 20, below the transfer or oifset cylinder I8, is a platen roll 2i. The platen roll shaft Zll'may be supported by the frame members II and I! in a manner-to permit adjustment and alignment-of the-roll with the ofiset cylinder. A suitable sheet feed table 22 is mounted. on the' frame to enable work sheets to be fed into the bite of the platen and'oflset rolls 2| and I8, re-

spectively. v

The offset roll may be provided with a suitable gripper" and ejector mechanism. illustrated in my copending application, heretofore mentioned,

to receive the paper-sheet ahead of the bite of the printing couple and elect or strip such sheet 40 from the roll flollowing the passing of the paper between the printing couple, guiding such printed sheet beneath a paper guide 23 into a suitable receptacle or receiving hopper 2| carried by the frame. g

The present invention isespecially concerned with the material applicator system for first applying an ink. repellant to theplanographic or similar type of printing plate, and subsequently applying planographic inkto such repellent coated plate, so that only the image portions ofthe 1 printin plate will carry ink to the transfer roll it, therefore to the work sheet. 1 .4

The moistening or me repellent s m is stored in a removable fountain or tray IlL'which is sup- 'portedon lug's orearsfl frame plates II and II. This fluid is removed from the fountain II by a fountain roll 32. The fountain roll is drivingly mounted on stub shafts 33, which are iournalled in respective frameplates n and This mu isintermittently will be'hereinafter described.

The moistening or repellent fluid is transferred from the fountain roll I2 to a form roll ll by a ductor roll 35. The ductor roll 35 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 36, supported by upstanding arms of a yokell. This yoke is pivotally secured to-a second yoke-fl, the downwardly depending arms of which are .pivotally mounted on'respective frame members II and I2, as at 3!. This pivotal connection and its advantages will be hereinafter more fully described. The ductor .roll 35 is intermittently rocked from contact with the fountain roll 32 into contact with the form roll a, as will be hereinafter explained.

The form roll 3| of the moistening or repellant mechanism is rotatably mounted on a shaft ll, carried between a pair of armsof a yoke ll, which arms are pivoted to the respective frame members H and if, as indicated at H inFlg, 1. The

form roll is resiliently maintained in contact with the printing plate B, by suitable springs, one of "which is shown at l3, as being interposed be removable as a unit from the machine.

tween the upper end of one arm of the yoke ll and a pin ll secured to the frame member I2. Adjusting screws, such as that shown in Fig. 1, at 45, are mounted in the form roll yoke arms II and contact fixed abutments 46 of respective frame members I i and it. Thus a predetermined pressure may be maintained between the form roll 5 and the pattern. 7 The form roll." and its carrier yoke II are sprinss 43 which retain the roll in contact with the pattern drum II are removedfromthe frame. Then one of the yoke pivot pins, as, for instance, the pin shown at-l2 in Figs. 1 and 5, isdisengaged from the yoke, permitting the yoke to he slid from cut with the pin 42 on the other side of the machine, which latter named pin (notshown) isrigidlysecuredtoitsframe member II. The pin l2, illustrated. is slidab y mountedinthe frameplate llandis normally positionedinasuitableopeningbyasprlng I28.-

.Aknob lfl isprovided tofacilitate thewith- Boththeformrollflandtheductorrollli are providedwithabsorptivefabrlccoveringsll toenabiethemtoconveythefluidfromthefolm-' tainroll to-theprintlngpiate. J

Inkissuppliedtothepatternbyan 'inkingmechanmbestshowninl'lg. 1."1his 'ductorrollisrotatablymountedonashaftli supportedbyapairofarmsofayoke 51. Thisyokehflvotallysecuredasatilns willbehereinaftermorefullydescribedtoasec- .ondyoke ltthearmsof whichare pivotallysecnred to respective frame u and l2,asatil. Theductorrollisrockedperiodically about the'pivots lintoaltermte en- The- Y a, cs,as4

fer-roll, by mechanism to be hereinafter more fully described.

The ink transfer roll It is journalled on a shaft I. This transfer roll transfers the ink j from the ductor roll 55 to a form roll 62, which is journalled on a shaft 63. The ends of this enlarged opening I2 through which a frame pin ll extends. This facilitates the disconnection of the spring and thus the rocking of the brackets outward to enable the form roll to be removed.

The pressure of the form roll 62 against the pattern B is limited by a pair of set screws, which are moimted in the respective bracket members 65. One of'these set screws is'il lustrated at ll.

in Fig.1, as being threadingly mounted in an I ear 1! formed in the bracket and engaging a boss 13 of the adjacent frame member H or if.

A'suitable lock nut H is provided to lock the set I screw II in an adjusted position.

The ink distributor roll Slis driven in syn chronism with the patterndrum Is. As indicatedin Fig. 1, a gear is drivingly secured to the pattern drum and meshes with a pinion 95 which intum drives a gear secured to the distributor roll. The drum I9 is driven from a motor 1!, thedriven pulley 81 of which is connected with a pulley 88 by a drive belt 89. The a pulley II is secured to a stub shaft 90, journalled in the frame plate l2. Also drivingly secured to this stub shaft is a spur gear 9|, which meshes.

cam Ill mounted on the transfer roll l8, which,

in turn, is driven by the pattern drum gear 88 through a gear Ill. Thus, when for any reason the transfer and pattern drums are separated, as,

for instance, by the rotation of their eccentric bushings Ila, the ink supply to the pattern will, for practical cease. As indicated in The other gear purposes Pig. 1, the offset rollis provided with a cam Hit, having a cam groove III, into which a roller Ill Y projects. This roller is carried by a lever I04 securedto a rock shaft-III, which is iournalled intheframemember ll. Also secured tothis 'rock shaft lll'is an arm I, which is pivotally connected. as at Ill, to one end of a link III.

as shown in Fig. 3, a pawl formation llll'is secured to the other end of the link Ill. This pawl formation is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel ill, secured'to the outward projecting, v

' end of a shaft III, journalled in the end plates of the ink fountain and to which the fountain roll Si is secured. .the'fountain rollfis advanced a partial"'irevolution each time the link. Ill is-reciprocated by the cam l0 l.

The-dnctor mi of the ink repellent applicator is likewise driven by'the offset roll it. As shown asement with the fountain roll andthe trans-. in m. 3 ,a'secondarm l'ltissecuredtotherock tionally carried by the link I88, being pressed beshaft I85, which, as heretofore described, is rocked by the cam I88 of the oil'setroll I8. This arm I I3 is connected by a link 4, with aplate H5, which is pivotally mounted on the ductor roll shaft 33 of the repellant applicator. Pivoted to the plate II5, as at 1, is a pawl 5, which, by means of a spring I I8, is normally maintained in engagement with a ratchet wheel I I9 drivingly' mounted on the ductor roll'shaft 33, heretofore described. Thus the ductor roll 32 is advanced step by step as the offset drum I8 is rotated.

An adjustment is provided whereby the pawl II6 may be regulated to advance the ratchet wheel, and therefore the fountain roll 32, a distance equivalent to a selected number of ratchet teeth, for each revolution of the offset drum I8. This adjustment, as shown in Fig. 3, is'accom plished by positioning a cam plate I28 about its axis, the fountain roll shaft 33 causing the cam portion I2I of the plate to engage a pin I22 carried by the pawl H6. This disengages the pawl from the ratchet wheel at a predetermined point, thus determining the distance the ratchet wheel is to be advanced. A suitable detent, such as I used to regulate the feed of the ratchet III of the ink fountain roll 5|, heretofore described.

The ductor rolls 35 and 55 are swung between their respective fountain and form rolls by the links I88 and II4 of their respective applicator mechanisms, and hence by the rotation of the oflset printing drum I8.

The driving connection between each of the links I88 and H4 and its respective ductor roll is such that the ductor rolls dwell in their movements to contact'with their respective fountain and form rolls for a period'of time. Inthecase of repellant ductor roll 35, one of the depending arms of the supporting yoke 38 is provided with an upward extension, which is provided with a' pin I38, which passes through a slot I3I in the driving link II4. Secured to the pin' I38, and mounted at either side of the link II4, are friction discs I32. These discs are secured to the pin and, frictionally embrace the link II4 so that, as the link moves to the left side (Fig. 3), the friction discs I32 and the pin I3I of the ductor roll 'mountingyoke 38 move with the link as a unit. -When, however, the link has moved the ductor roll 35 into contact with the fountain roll a 32, further movement of the rolls is, of course, f restricted by such contact. The link then moves between the friction discs, thereby allowing the ductor roll to dwell in contact withthe fountain roll until such time as the link II4 starts its right-handed movement (Fig. 3). On the reverse movement, the ductor roll similarly remains in contact with the form roll 34, for a like period of time.

Theconnection between the ductor roll 55 of the inking mechanismand the link I88, is also such that this ductor roll remains in contact with its fountain roll 5|, and its distributing roll "for a. considerable period of time. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, one of the depending arms of the ductor roll supporting yoke 58 is-provided with an upward extension. I34 having a pin I35, which projects through the frame member I I, thence through an elongated opening I33 in the link I88, and into an opening l38 in a strip I31. The strip I31 is frictween 9. pair of fibre strips I38 by compression springs I38, surrounding a pair of studs I48 carried by the link. These studs pass through an elongated slot I43'in the strip I31, allowing endwise motion of the strip with respect to the link. When the link I88 moves to the right (Fig. 3), the extension I34 of the yoke 58 and the ductor roll 55 are swungin a clockwise direction, bringing the ductor roll into contactwith the fountain roll 5|. This contact is maintained for an interval of time, due to continued movement of the link and sl pping of the strip I31. the link moves to the left, the ductor roll is disengaged from the fountain roll and is moved into contact with the distributing roll 54. This contact is also maintained for an interval of time,

When, however.

due'to the frictional engagement of the strip I31 are mounted to compensate for any irregularities in the alignment of the form rolls, the fountain rolls and the ductor rolls. This'is highly advan-.

tageous in that it equalizes the pressure between all points of these rolls, thus transferring a very even coating of ink from the fountain roll to the form roll.

As both ductor rolls are mounted in the same manner, a description of the .mounting ,for the ink fountain ductor roll 55 will suiflce for both.

As-heretofore mentioned, this ductor roll is jour-- nalled in the upstanding arms of a yoke 51, which is carried by a yoke 58, the depending arms of which are pivoted to adjacent frame plates. As

' shown in Fig. 4, the yokes each have horizontal bar portions I45, which are pivotally connected together. as at 58, to swing about a substantially vertical axis midway between the arms of the yokes. Inasmuchas the lower yoke 59 is driven,

the ductor roll is free to swing about its vertical pivot 58, into alignment with the fountain roll or distributor roll until the pressure between all contacting points of the contacting rolls is equalized. Excess pressure is, of course, pre-' vented, due to the frictional drive between the link 3 and the yoke propelling plate I31.

When the machine is idle, it is desirable to move both the ink repellant form roller and theink form when out of contactwith the pattern or printing plate. Again, at times it is desired to to be readily grasped and turned by the operator.

Theknob is provided with a suitable pointer I52,

" which coacts with an index-plate I53, secured to the frame of the machine, and which bears indicia indicating the position of the form rolls.

As shown best. .in Fig. 1, the shaft in inter-.

mediate its ends is provided with a cam-like formation I54, which is arranged to selectivelyengage the bracket members carrying the ink form roll 84, and rock such roll about the bracket I pivots, against the action of the springs 81,

supply the repellant only, while atother times it thereby moving the ink form roll out of contact with the printing plate B. 1

Secured to the shaft I58, as shown in Fig. 3, is a cam I48, and'pivoted as at I48 to the frame II is a lever in having a cam ensasins roller ill on its lower end. 7 The upper end of this lever has pivoted thereto a link or bar I51, which is guided ther movement of the shaft I" in a counter-' in its movement by a pin I it, carried by the frame member II and projecting through a slot I" formed in the bar III. The left-hand end of this bar-, as illustrated in Fig, '3, engages a lip ill formed on one of the arms ill of the repellant form roll supporting yoke ll. consequent upon the rotation of the cam I, the bar I51 willmove.

the form roll 34, against the action of the spring 43 out of engagement with the printing .plate 8.

The formation of, the cam I" and the cam shaft in issuch that, when the shaft is turned to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, both form rolls 34 and GI are in contact with the printing plate B. As the cam is rated from the position, shown direction to the position designed Rep. only",

the cam surface I54 acts to move the ink'form roll away from the printing plate, thereby permitting the application of repellant only. Rurclockwise direction to the "01! position brings the cam I46 into action, moving the repellant application form roll also out of contact-with the printing plate, thus positioning both form rollsfree from the drum. Further movement of the shaft iii in a counter-clockwise direction to the ink only" position moves the cam shaft I out of active engagement with the brackets I,

- thereby releasing the ink form roll for contact 'with the printing plate B, whereas the cam I remains active, retaining the repellant form roll out of contact with the printing cylinder. Thus the application of ink only to the printing cylinder is accomplished. From the foregoing d ption. it will be seen that I have provided an eilicient material applicator system for a planographic or similar printing machine, which system includes a liquid rcpellant applicator mechanism and an ink applicator mechanism, both of which mechanisms are driven from the offset or transfer roll, and each ofwhichmechanismis arrangedtofacilitatethe removal of the form rolls without disturbing their adjustment to other mils in theinking system, and each of which includes a ductor roll which is pivotally mounted to align with either its fountain roll or its dIstributor-roiL'regardIefl ofmisalignmentbetweentheaxesofthethree mils. This pivotal mounting, together with the frictional driving mechanism for oscillating the ductor rolls and causing them to dwell incontact with their fountain and distributor rolls. en-

fables an even limited pressure between the contacting rolls and therefore transfers an even applicationofrepellantorinhasthecasemay be, totheprintingplate. 'animprovedsimrle control for the operation of both applicator mechanisms is also provided, thus facilitating the'operation of a planographic printing machine by comparatively unskilled help. thereby providingaplaml -v printii'umachine Iclaim Q 1. In a planographic machine, having apiate cylinder, 'an ink feed for the plate cylin-w der, a repellant feed for the plate cylinder. each of said feeds including amovable ductor, means;

. for d af .ductors' monasteries-m the I w em ee we in Fig. 3, in a counter-clockwise- 'memberhavln a hers against which they are moved while said movable members continue their movement.

2. In a printing machine, the combination of a plate cylinder, a form roll, a fountain roll, a movable ductor between'the fountain roll and formroll, mechanism for operating the movable ductor comprising a movable bar having an elongated slot therein, means to reciprocate the bar. the ductor roll having 3 D n extending through the slot in the bar, and means'connectedwith the pin to frictionally engage opposite sides of .the bar and thus propel the ductor, and wherein said means is adapted to be overcome consequent upon the contact by the ductor roll of one of the other rolls.

3. In a planographic printing machine, the

' combination of a plate cylinder, an ink feed and rock arms on the rock shaft, connected with the respective members, and a cam for operating the shaft.

5. The combination, with a rotatable movable fountain roll and a bodily movable ductor roll, of a vet for both movements, and mechanism ecting the driver with the two rolls,

said mechanism having a frictional connection withthe ductor roll whereby the ductor ,roll may dwell at one end of its movement while the :elchanism continues to operate the fountain .6. In a chine, the combination of a roll, a bodily shiftable and rotatable material applicator for sprinting 'maductor ran,

rotatable fountain 1 and Single machine, the

a common driving mechanism for rotating the Q fountain roll and shifting the ductor roll, said mechanism having a frictional slip connection with the ductor roll, and a positive connection with the fountain roll. wherebythe ductor roll may dwell in contact with the fountain rollwhile said mechanism eontinues'to rotate the fountain 'rollr'andtherebycausestheductorrolltobe rotatedby with the foun tainroli;

7.111 a pianographic printing machine, the cunbinaitionofapiatecylindenaformroll thuewith. ,a fountain roll. a

thefmntainrollandformroiLandadriving ratchet connection'with the formtainroilandan-ictionaislip connection with tainroilandfor'mroma an-letionaislipconnection .aratchet'driveforthefoimtainrollconnected andmeansf'orreciprocatingthe s. .IhlWwinflng-machine. in comwith the ductor roll, 4

I whereby each bar may operate the ratchet of the corresponding fountain roll, and common driving mechanism so connected with the bars so that it may simultaneously move them to operate the two fountain rolls and the two ductor rolls.

10. The combination of a fountain roll, a receiving roll parallel therewith and spaced therefrom, and a bodily movable and rotatable ductor roll between the fountain roll and receiving roll and mechanism adapted to perform the double function of giving a partial rotation to the fountain roll and also of shifting the ductor roll into engagement with one of the said other rolls and there retaining it without increasing its pressure against the roll it engages. I

11. The combination with a rotatable fountain roll and a bodily movable and rotatable ductor roll, a single operating mechanism adapted to move the ductor roll into" contact with the fountain roll and retain it there without increase of its pressure thereagainst while the same mechanism gives a periodic rotation of the fountain roll.

12. The combination of: a fountain roll, a roll parallel therewith and spaced therefrom, and'a bodily movable and rotatable ductor roll between the fountain roll and parallelroll, and reciprocating mechanism adapted on one stroke to shift the ductor roll into engagement with one of the other rolls and retain itthere without increase of its pressure thereagainst and on the opposite stroke to give a partial rotation to the fountain roll. I

13. The combination with a fountain roll having a ratchet wheel, and an ink receiving roll, of an interposed ductor roll, mechanism for moving the ductor roll into contact, with the ink receiving rolland there holding it for an appreciable time and at a constant pressure and during that time continuing the movement of said mechanism, and a pawl for operating the ratchet moved in the idle direction by said continuing movement.

14. In a planographic printing machine, having aplate cylinder, an ink feed for the plate cylinder, a repellant feed for the plate cylinder,

veach of said feeds including a movable ductor roll and a ratchet driven fountain roll, means for moving the ductors, and means for causing the ductors to dwell in engagement with the members against which they are'moved' while the moving mechanism continues. its movement to actuate mechanism coacting with the ratchets.

15. In a planographic printing machine, having .a plate cylinder, an ink feed for the plate cylinder, 3, repellant feed for the plate cylinder, each of said feeds including a movable ductor, means for moving the ductors, said means including members which have both a shoving and driving means and the ductors for causing the ductors to dwell in engagement with the members against which they are moved while the moving mechanism continues its movement, and reciprocating mechanism for turning the fountain rolls actuated in one direction by said movement.

17. The combination, with a rotatable movable I fountain roll and a bodily movable ductor roll, of a single driver for both movements, and mechanism connecting the driver with the two rolls, said'mechanis'm having a'connection with the ductor roll which is capable of moving the ductor roll a predetermined distance only and then is active to maintain the ductor roll in such position without increasing the pressure between the ductor roll and fountain roll, whereby theducto r roll may dwell at one end of its movement while the mechanism continues to operate the fountain roll. I

FRANKLIN E. CURTIS. 

